an owly messenger bag

I had a friend put in a special order for a messenger bag with an owl, and here’s what I came up with…

I love piecing owls or other critters to be sewn onto the front of bags, but the do take a lot of time in cutting and prep work.

And some more time in the machine stitchery department…

I threw the whole piece of fabric, (in this case it’s the front flap of the messenger bag) into the washing machine– then hung it up to dry. I like the frayed, worn in look.

Here is the bag all sewn together. This bag is based on the High Street Messenger Bag, an Amy Butler pattern,  modified quite a bit over the years. But the way… one of the most difficult patterns to try and follow, and I’ve been reading patterns since high school- (in case you’re trying to make one and feeling frustrated…).

The back pocket has a little different fabric, for some variety.

The front flap pocket and the inside of the main bag, all mixed up with various fabrics too.

She loved it… hooray! (and phew)